Rent Chinatown (1974)

One of Jacks best 3. - Chinatown review by JD

This is truly a great film. The heat is tangible. The direction is interesting and the acting is surreal, except strangely the cameo played by Polanski. In my opinion one of Jack Nicholson's best three films (the others: a few good men and one flew over the cuckoos nest). Faye Dunaway plays an excellent 1940's style heroine. One to watch every few years.

Mystery Thriller - A Masterpiece - Chinatown review by GI

This is one of those very marvellous films that everyone should make sure they see. It's arguably one of the greatest detective/mystery thrillers ever made and has a story that is so well constructed it's near perfect. The screenplay is often used on University film studies courses to example the way to properly write a script. Mostly though this is a period film, set in 1937 Los Angeles but filmed in a realistic European style, that draws you into the plot that twists and turns keeping you forever guessing what is going on but the clues are well placed if you can spot them. Jack Nicholson, in one of his best roles, is Jake Gittes, a successful private detective who specialises in marital affair cases. He is hired by the wife of the chief engineer of the city's water department who suspects her husband is seeing someone else. Jake takes the case but soon finds he is embroiled in a conspiracy involving deceit, corruption and murder. With a superb cast that includes Faye Dunaway and John Huston (in a really subtle yet very menacing performance) and with the enigmatic title, which is a metaphor for corruption as "you can't always tell what's going on", the film restructures the figure of the traditional film detective as its brilliantly reworks the style of the classic film noirs. The setting of the sun drenched LA in the middle of a drought mixed with political corruption makes for a really compelling story and a real masterpiece of modern cinema.

Magnificent - Chinatown review by griggs

When I first watched Chinatown, I found it slow, with a feeling of a melodrama rather than film noir. However, after giving it a second chance, I can confidently say it is a cinematic masterpiece that deserves every bit of its acclaim.

Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of Jake Gittes is iconic. Faye Dunaway delivers a haunting performance that lingers long after the credits roll. The complex narrative, woven with themes of corruption, power, and betrayal, reveals itself in layers, making the second viewing even more rewarding.

The film’s deliberate pacing, which I initially found challenging, now feels like a masterstroke in building tension and depth. Every scene and every line of dialogue has a purpose, contributing to a rich and immersive experience. Roman Polanski’s direction is meticulous, creating an authentic and gripping portrayal of 1930s Los Angeles.

Chinatown is a film that genuinely benefits from multiple viewings. If you, like me, found it slow on the first watch, I urge you to revisit it. You may find yourself, as I did, enthralled by its brilliance and artistry. This is a timeless classic that only gets better with age and understanding.